9/28/2010
HEADLINES
PERSPECTIVE: Lenhart Brings Marketing, Organizing to NFDA
The new executive vice president of the National Fastener Distributors Association Mark Lenhart (right), with Mark Shannon of Tower Fasteners, the 2008-09 NFDA president; Ron Stanley of Empire Bolt & Screw; and Bill Derry of Field Fastener Supply and the 1997-98 NFDA president. (Photo by Tracey Lumina, Link Magazine)
“Everything I’ve done prepares me for this position,” the new executive vice president of the National Fastener Distributors Association said.
In more than 20 years of experience with Chicago businesses, Mark Lenhart’s previous roles include sales, business strategy, a start-up company, distribution and industrial – including the automotive and agriculture industries.
He was responsible for development of marketing, sales and communication strategies for subsidiary companies serving industrial markets, including a metal fabrication firm selling to the automotive industry. Most recently Lenhart was marketing and sales manager for distribution with a global provider of veterinary products.
Dating back to his Eagle Scout days in Iowa and being vice president of his business fraternity at the University of Iowa, and in both volunteer and business roles, Lenhart noted he has been actively involved in organizing and marketing.
His most recent job was distributor marketing & sales manager for Abbott Animal Health. Previously he was director of marketing for a venture capital firm – Monroe Group – and national account manager for business supplies & equipment company, Oce USA.
Though he has not held an executive position managing a trade group, Lenhart knows associations from the board member’s perspective: He was president of the Chicago chapter of the American Marketing Association.
His experience aside, Lenhart said he understands the ultimate measure of NFDA is distributor membership and participation. Associate members will join and attend if distributors are there.
The NFDA reported 94 distributor members and 74 associate members. The 168 current total is down from 252 in 2005, 246 in 2000 and 209 in 1995.
The recession is only part of the lower numbers. In 2000, the NFDA reported losing 13 members in the previous year due to member company acquisitions.
This year the NFDA acknowledged losing a few domestic associate members due to its globalization initiatives.
Though he hasn’t been an association executive, in an interview with GlobalFastenerNews.com, Lenhart explained that the NFDA’s management firm, SmithBucklin, offers the backup for experts in association needs, from booking meeting space to developing trade shows or other activities.
The day after Sam Geist spoke to the NFDA on “Execute or be Executed,” Lenhart said the immediate goal for the NFDA is to “do a few things well … to execute on this.”
In a slow economy NFDA needs to focus on programs offering the most value to members rather than try to provide many services. “Less is more,” is the description Lenhart used.
The NFDA has begun a globalization initiative with the Taiwan and European distributors’ associations and is seeking what Lenhart termed as “collaboration and cross-pollination .”
< span style="font-size: small;">Thus far the NFDA has put its “toe in the water” on globalization. Yet to come may be a trade group trip to encourage exports from the U.S.
Lenhart said the NFDA also wants to work with the regional associations. Representatives of the Midwest Fastener Association attended the autumn NFDA meeting in Chicago. The NFDA is inviting regional associations to participate in its distributorship benchmarking program.
Expect to see NFDA offering compact meetings with optional activities such as golf at the beginning or end.
As a SmithBucklin executive Lenhart will also manage a second association – the Decorative Plumbing Hardware Association.
The “decorative” refers to high-end plumbing fixtures. “Towel warmers, not toilets,” Lenhart explained the “decorative” adjective.
NFDA president Jim Derry cited Lenhart’s “multi-faceted business background and his understanding of the challenges and opportunities our industry faces,” for his selection. “Mark has a wealth of experience in the key areas of business development and growth, marketing strategy, change management and strategic alliance-building which will allow NFDA to grow and introduce new services designed to facilitate your firm’s long-term growth.”
Lenhart is the sixth executive in the 42-year history of the NFDA. He succeeds John Hausoul, who resigned from NFDA and the association’s management firm, SmithBucklin.
Gordon Vaughan was the first executive director in the 70’s. He was succeeded in 1976 by Mary Ann Langholz, who led the association until she retired in 1990. Ken Dickson led the NFDA from 1990 until his death in 1996. Dave Merrifield was executive from 1996 to 2005 and Hausoul took the reigns in 2006.
During the NFDA’s business session at the autumn meeting, Derry announced the financial benchmarking program would be expanded. Other associations are invited to participate to broaden the number of participants.
The benchmarking also can be expanded for other important measurements such as fill rates or lines packed per hour, Derry added.
The next NFDA meeting will be April 6-8, 2011, at the PGA National Resort in Palm Beach, FL. For NFDA information: Tel: 312 527-6671 E-mail: info@nfda-fastener.org Web: nfda-fastener.org ©2010 GlobalFastenerNews.com
Related Links:
• National Fastener Distributors Association
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